→
Image credit: library.dmu.ac.uk
Want to be clear about the assignment task? Then start with the box on the right. →
What does "critically evaluate" mean? What am I supposed to do?
Open the document below to get clarity on a list of well-known task words.
Now let's analyse the following assignment question. Can you spot the "action word" and the important "keywords"?
![]() |
Discuss how information communication technologies have significantly changed the delivery of higher education in South Africa during the past decade. |
You've got it! Now learn about specifying keywords for your information search below
↓
Once the main keywords and phrases in the topic are listed, look at each of them and try to generate synonyms, broader, narrower and related terms.
Let’s use the following topic as an example:
“An analysis of the use of cell phones among urban youth in South Africa”
Main keywords |
Synonyms |
Broader terms |
Narrower terms |
Related terms |
cell phones |
cellular phones |
mobile technology telecommunications |
Blackberry Curve iPhone Smartphone Nokia N8 etc. |
Nokia Apple etc. |
urban youth | city youth township youth |
youth adolescents teenagers |
15 year olds |
. |
South Africa |
. |
. |
Cape Town Gauteng KwaZulu-Natal etc. |
|
** The phrase “South Africa” also acts as the geographic limiter, i.e. urban youth in Botswana or the United States may not be included in the information search
Any or all of these alternative terms may be used in different combinations when searching a variety of resources to find relevant information to complete a well-researched assignment.
You're ready for the interactive quizz on the right →
Understanding your assignment |
Writing assignments is one of the fun things undergraduate students do throughout their academic life. When you are required to submit an assignment, the expectation is that the completed product will address the core issue(s) raised by the set task.
Your answer or argument will be based on your interpretation of the given task, and in a class of fifty students, there might be as many different interpretations of the same task.
Central to any interpretation though, should be a close reading of the topic, i.e. you will be expected to look at the topic closely by reading through it carefully to make sure that you are able to
Start off by simply trying to identify the keywords and/or phrase(s). Then identify instructions which always form part of the task. These instructions will guide you in your analysis of the various sections which comprise the actual question. Sifting through the constituent parts will help you to focus on what the assignment requires in terms of content and form.
Keywords will point to the aspects which you must write about to obtain a good mark. To identify the keywords (also called "topic words"), look for the nouns dealing with ideas, issues or concepts. These keywords will play a big role when you begin searching for relevant information for your assignment at a later stage.
Action words tell you what you must do in order to answer a question correctly. For example, your assignment question may include any or a combination of the following action words which direct you to submit a product in which you must "assess", "discuss", "argue", "compare", "review", "outline", "identify", "explain", "illustrate", or "analyse" certain issues. Action words are useful as they give you an indication of what you are required to do when answering the assignment question. (See explanation of task words via the link in the box on the left hand side)
Limiting words or phrases determine the scope of the question. Limiting words may refer to a specific geographic area, a certain period, a group, indicate a particular framework or a qualifying number. Do not forget to take note of the limiting words or phrases as they help limit the focus of the assignment.
No matter how complex the question posed, start by identifying the keywords (or phrases), the limiting words, and find the action word(s). This will go a long way in reaching an understanding about the task, and this process all helps one to:
← Now look at the practical exercise on the Left
University of the Western Cape,
Robert Sobukwe Road,
Bellville,
7535
Tel: 021 959 2946